- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Bike Collective VS. Simply giving away bikes
by Sylvie Baele 06 Jul '18

06 Jul '18

Alright friends, I am reaching out for some resources.. I have a meeting soon with a guy who has an organization which gives away bikes. "Second Chance Bikes" Now, I don't disagree with giving people bikes... but I think the bike collective model (like earn-a-bike) is more empowering and sustainable long-term. And of course encourages safer riding, all while building community... Got any resources (or data) that can help support my/our position? I am a bit nervous as my meeting is with an older white male and I'm a younger female. He's already mansplained me once before. Bikes! Sylvie Baele *"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or unhappiness depends more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves." - Alexander von Humbolt*

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Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles has an open position: Educator Mechanic
by Cyclista Nicholas 05 Jul '18

05 Jul '18

I am super excited to post to this list that Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles, based in Ithaca, New York, is hiring for a new part time position! I expect it won't be enough hours to persuade people to move from say, Beijing or Barcelona, but maybe Montreal or Syracuse ;) And who knows - maybe we'll find out someone nearer to our town has been lurking on this list all along. About RIBs: Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles is a thirty year-old program of the Southside Community center focused on a facilitated free and open shop model. We do require a donation for parts, which is pay-what-you-want. Our focus is on empowerment, via skill building, confidence building and access to transportation. We serve an extremely wide array of people in our local population, from people in the reentry process from incarceration, college students pursuing PHDs, local homeless, families of all social classes, and immigrants. About The Southside Community Center: Established in 1938, the SsCC is one of the nation's oldest African American community organizations, tracing its roots back to the efforts of a small women's club 1927. Since it's founding, it has nurtured a variety of programs designed to "affirm, empower, and foster the development of self pride among the African-American citizens of greater Ithaca..." About Ithaca: Home to four higher education institutions including Cornell University, Ithaca has a resilient cycling community and a long tradition of political and social awareness. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Position Title: Educator Mechanic, Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles Reporting To: Nydia Blas, Executive Director, Southside Community Center, Nicholas Desystemizer, Director, Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles Compensation: $15.11/hour, 15 hours/week Benefits: paid vacation and sick leave Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles is a program of the Southside Community Center and a skillsharing community bicycle workshop where anyone can come in and work on their bikes, whether to repair, build, or simply maintain, free of cost (except parts). For almost thirty years, RIBs has been a fun and empowering space where people learn and help one another while connecting with liberating and sustainable technology. This position is seasonal, ending October 31, with the possibility for scaled back hours over Winter. In season, it will be 15hrs/week(a)$15.11/hr, Saturday and Sunday from 12:30pm until 5:30pm, and Thursday 6pm-close. The position will be completely responsible for Thursdays, but will share the day with the Director from 2pm-5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The position may require attending weekly hour-long staff meetings, paid at the normal rate. The applicant does not have to be mechanically proficient at the time of interview, but they do need to have a passion for learning mechanical skills such that they will eventually develop professional skills. This position offers training which will precede assumption of regular hours, and will consist of shadowing by the Director and Consulting Director on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Other days necessary for training may be possible. All training will be paid at the working rate. The primary skill the applicant must demonstrate at the time of interview is the ability to work with people in an encouraging, patient, positive, tolerant, and educational capacity while maintaining awareness of all projects and people in the space. Ability to confront and resolve conflict in a graceful and healthy manner (as far as possible) is also necessary. Acceptance of and interest in human diversity is essential. People with experience maintaining cohesion, balance, positivity, and strength in highly populated communities are encouraged to apply. Duty is to facilitate open shop hours as follows: -Maintain an organized space -Facilitate workflows and ongoing projects -Maintain awareness of multiple participants, their situations, and their projects -Teach repair skills to participants -Ensure the proper use of tools and space to minimize breakage, wear, and damage -Cultivate quality for all new and used bikes and hardware leaving the shop -Monitor and enforce safety standards for bikes leaving the shop -Greet and orient new participants -Coordinate volunteers -Process bike donations -Collect and secure monetary donations -Perform necessary record keeping and reporting for all participants and (if closing) monetary streams -Maintain RIBs as as a safer and anti-oppressive space -Observe and apply in practice the mission statements of RIBs and SsCC -Assist the Director and Consulting Director as needed This position must be filled as soon as possible, and therefore candidates will be interviewed in the order they apply until the position has been filled. Please respond with a cover letter and brief resume. No specific format is required for the resume, content has priority. Send application to: cyclista.ribs(a)sspride.org or drop off in person at 305 S. Plain Street, weekdays 10am-7pm. Thank you very much for your interest in this position. We look forward to meeting you! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Bike!Bike! Los Angeles - Travel Equity
by Fabian W. 03 Jul '18

03 Jul '18

Hello Everyone, Im Fabian W. and Im a member of the Bike!Bike! 2018 Los Angeles organizing committee. One of my specific tasks is to promote and facilitate participation in our event by Mexican, Central American and South American bike groups. There are two main components to this effort: Promote the event among groups in those regions. Im already reaching out to many across the region but if you know of any specific ones I would really appreciate the contact information. Fundraise for our travel equity program. Participation by south-of-the-US Border groups is very difficult because of the cost of visas and airfare. Jim Mayerstein from Mexico has shared with me some important background information about travel equity funding in previous Bike!Bike! gatherings starting with Detroit. Jim mentioned that a couple of the collectives from Canada were able to do significant funding towards this (Bike Sauce from Toronto and Our Community Bikes from Vancouver). The Los Angeles Bike!Bike! organizing committee is going to do as much funding for this as possible but any contributions or ideas from the rest of the BikeCollectives community would be very appreciated. We have started a crowd funding site at: https://bikebike2018.raisely.com/ . Any contributions there would help give momentum to that effort. So, please if you have any ideas or have specific resources in relationship to both the promotion of the event south-of-the-US Border or, more importantly, in regards to funding our southern friends please contact me at fabian(a)ucla.edu <mailto:fabian@ucla.edu> Looking forward to meeting many of you in LA in September, _fabian Bike!Bike! 2018, Los Angeles, Organizing Committee Professor, Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, UCLA Director, PedaLúdico, Buenos Aires, Argentina ( <http://pedaludico.org> http://pedaludico.org) Director, cheLA, Buenos Aires, Argentina (http://chela.org.ar)

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Collective VS. Simply giving away bikes
by Bonnie Anderson 03 Jul '18

03 Jul '18

Well said, Matt! We function much the same as you described, and the community has responded in the positive. Bonnie Bonnie Anderson Founding Director BF Community Bike Project 30 Henry St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101 (802) 310-8867 bfbike.org / visit us on facebook <https://www.facebook.com/BF-Community-Bike-Project-514155548620492/> On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 9:25 PM, Matt VanSlyke <matt(a)uticabikerescue.org> wrote: > Hi Sylvie, > We are also in a situation where there is a local giveaway that we are > frequently confused with. They have been around for about 10 years and we > have been operating for 5. They have a bigger marketing budget and use it > to promote their 1-day, 1,000-bike hand out. We operate year round and > spend as much time as needed to help people get bikes. That means we > redistribute fewer bikes but we feel we deliver a better service. > > Although it's a tired cliche (which I acknowledge in conversation) people > who ask "do you give away bikes?" always understand when I say that we > follow more or less a "teach a person to fish" approach. They also > understand when I explain why we sell bikes in addition to offering > earn-a-bike. I tell them that we believe everyone should have some skin in > the game and therefore it would be incongruous to our mission if we asked > for handouts form organizations. We do enjoy and appreciate the financial > support we've received on a few occasions from grantmaking organizations > but we rely on revenue that we generate through hardwork, just like we ask > our customers to do. > > I've had this conversation enough times now that I have it polished pretty > well. I can't recall a single instance where someone has left the > conversation feeling as if we're doing it wrong, in fact it's usually an > eye-opening experience for them. My theory on why this is the case is > because I think many people out there are still unfamiliar with the social > enterprise concept and seem to still think that non-profit means "no > money". > > I applaud the passion and caring of the many bike giveaway programs out > there. I know several of them that do excellent refurbishing and provide > free bikes to people who truly need and appreciate them. My experience > locally has been different and that's why we stick to our guns. > > I hope this helps. I'm willing to chat more on the phone if you'd like. > Feel free to call me if you want. > > -Matt > > *Matt VanSlyke* > Executive Director > 315.525.9554 | matt(a)uticabikerescue.orgwww.UticaBikeRescue.org > <http://facebook.com/uticabikerescue> > <http://instagram.com/uticabikerescue> > > > > On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 2:04 PM, Paul Fitzgerald <paul(a)workingbikes.org> > wrote: > >> Sylvie and all, >> >> I don't believe I understand the nature of your meeting. Are you >> attempting to steer the "Second Change" mission or figuring out some type >> of strategic partnership with a different org? >> >> I would like to solicit more opinions or discussion on the 'earn-a-bike' >> model, though. I've worked for and with organizations which heavily used >> it, particularly in working with young people. I've been at Working Bikes >> for about 8 years now, and while we invite all community members to >> volunteer and earn timeshare 'credits' towards parts for their bike, we >> also give away more than 1,000 bikes a year locally through our Cycle of >> Power and Cycle of Peace programs. We've used these donations to make >> powerful partnerships with many different types of organizations, many of >> which do not use bicycles as a primary focus of their mission. Adult >> recipients are invited to volunteer or pay a 'co-pay' or $20 towards the >> bike, helmet and lock we provide, but most decline. >> >> At a certain point, it may be a question of volume, it feels >> paternalistic to me to tell someone they have to "earn" a resource an >> organization has the ability to redistribute. I take the question of >> service vs. charity seriously, but I also believe in the radical >> redistribution of resources. I don't think it is sustainable for everyone >> who would benefit from a service to have to learn how that service operates >> to receive it. There definitely are strong arguments for earn-a-bike, as >> well as super "CHARITY" <http://fb4k.org/> bike orgs starting up. >> >> I've been pondering this discussion as a possible B!B! workshop or >> roundtable of sorts. I hope you don't feel I've hijacked your thread with >> hypotheticals, Sylvie, and wish you luck with your meeting. >> >> peace n bike grease, >> Paul >> >> On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 11:58 AM, Therese Kilpatrick < >> therese(a)projectbiketech.org> wrote: >> >>> Hi Sylvie, >>> I don't know your specific circumstances but perhaps your group can >>> coexist with this gentleman's targeting different recipients. If the >>> earn-a-bike model is what you want to invest in with your time and >>> resources and someone else is "giving away" bikes - how do they pay for the >>> parts/consumables necessary to restore bikes? Are they also working in a >>> non-profit or are they paying for everything themselves? Could they be >>> brought into your model if it were explained how there is more than a bike >>> that is being "given". I hope that he will be able to listen to why the >>> earn-a-bike model has much more social impact through teaching and the >>> recipients "owning" the bike through work and how it is a shared >>> experience. There is also the parable of giving fish versus teaching >>> someone how to fish... >>> Good luck and let me know how it went, >>> Therese Kilpatrick >>> Project Bike Tech Teacher - Aptos High School >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 8:13 AM, Sylvie Baele <sylvgrb(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Alright friends, I am reaching out for some resources.. I have a >>>> meeting soon with a guy who has an organization which gives away bikes. >>>> "Second Chance Bikes" >>>> >>>> Now, I don't disagree with giving people bikes... but I think the bike >>>> collective model (like earn-a-bike) is more empowering and sustainable >>>> long-term. And of course encourages safer riding, all while building >>>> community... >>>> >>>> Got any resources (or data) that can help support my/our position? I >>>> am a bit nervous as my meeting is with an older white male and I'm a >>>> younger female. He's already mansplained me once before. >>>> >>>> Bikes! >>>> >>>> >>>> Sylvie Baele >>>> >>>> *"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or unhappiness >>>> depends more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of >>>> those events themselves." - Alexander von Humbolt* >>>> >>>> ____________________________________ >>>> >>>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.o >>>> rg/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> >>> Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.o >>> rg/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Paul Fitzgerald >> General Manager, Working Bikes >> Pronouns <https://uwm.edu/lgbtrc/support/gender-pronouns/>: him, his, he >> 2434 S. Western, Chicago, IL 60608 >> 773-847-5440 >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> ------------------------------------------------- >> Store Hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri- 11am-7pm >> Sat - 10am-6pm >> Sun - 11am-4pm >> >> >> Volunteer Hours: Tues- 5-9pm >> Wed- 12-5pm >> Sat- 12-5pm >> >> WTF! Night is every Thursday 5-9pm. It is a volunteer mechanics night >> exclusively for Women and people who are Transgendered or Gender >> Non-Conforming. >> >> “El socialismo puede llegar solo en la bicicleta." >> >> "Socialism can only arrive by bicycle." >> >> -José Antonio Viera Gallo, Assistant Secretary of Justice in the >> government of Salvador Allende >> >> >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> >> Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.o >> rg/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org >> >> >> > > > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. > www.avast.com > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> > <#m_-2661727874550885743_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > > Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives. > org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org > > >

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(no subject)
by Angelo Coletta 21 Jun '18

21 Jun '18

http://refer.themillenniummile.com Angelo Coletta

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(no subject)
by Angelo Coletta 21 Jun '18

21 Jun '18

http://matter.ldesignchicago.com Angelo Coletta

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Memorial bicycles. The ghost bike
by Geoffrey Bercarich 18 Jun '18

18 Jun '18

Hello people of bike bike land. I ask all who proforma memorials for cyclists to contact me directly. I am wishing to create a coalition of people and organizations responsible for cycling memorials. Our work is important and is changing the way people see cycling in our communities. We need eachother to help better deliver our memorials. Please help me and get in touch with me. Geoffrey Bercarich Advocacy for respect for cyclists Toronto Canada.

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Wheel management
by Jack Murphy 13 Jun '18

13 Jun '18

We have a lot of wheels on hand, some ready to go, others needing bearings or truing, and still others piled up. We hang some from ceiling using hooks, and have tried a rack to hold them. The problem comes when people just set wheels on the floor in front of the rack, or pile them in. We need to find an efficient way to store them. I'm leaning towards more hooks, but wonder what others do to manage wheel inventory. -- Jack Murphy Jack(a)BikeWalkWichita.org *Bike Walk Wichita’s Mission is to transform Wichita into a more livable, accessible, * *connected city **by making biking and walking safe, equitable, and appealing.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 141, Issue 4
by Lawrence Mohammed 12 Jun '18

12 Jun '18

We're in the UK, slightly different rules, but ensure any bikes sold have working bell, wheel reflectors (clear or orange), white front reflector and red rear reflector. No need for this but it's what you'd expect from a new bike and we do it for best practise. During popups where we check peoples bikes, we not whether they have these too...pointing out why they're added to new bikes, though not demanding they go get them fitted (by us or anyone else) if absent. Warmest regards, *Lawrence Mohammed* Director & Head Mechanic Pro Bike Service C.I.C. *+44 (0)77 222 58587* *probikeservice.co.uk <https://probikeservice.co.uk>* *facebook.com/probikeservice <https://www.facebook.com/professionalbikeservice>* /[Location, NOT delivery address] Pro Bike Service C.I.C. Multi-Storey Car Park Lesney Avenue Olympic Park London E20 3BS / On 12/06/18 21:04, thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org wrote: > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. policy for reflectors? (Ann Haebig) > 2. Re: policy for reflectors? (David Oliver) > 3. Re: policy for reflectors? (Edward Stewart) > 4. Wheel management (Jack Murphy) > 5. Re: policy for reflectors? (Jim Sheehan) > 6. Re: policy for reflectors? (David Oliver) > 7. Re: Wheel management (Eric Brozell) > 8. Re: Wheel management (Jack Murphy) > 9. Re: policy for reflectors? (Todd Spinner) > 10. Re: policy for reflectors? (Shannon Southwood) > 11. Re: Wheel management (General Manager) > 12. Re: policy for reflectors? (Daniel Silverman) > > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

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policy for reflectors?
by Ann Haebig 12 Jun '18

12 Jun '18

Hi all, I'm new to the Think Tank, though I've been around bike coops and advocacy for years. I searched the archives but didn't find anything relevant to my question... Do any of you have a policy about whether and which reflectors (or lights) must be installed on a bike that leaves your shop? Has your coop had a discussion about it? I'd like to hear from those groups who've considered the question, to provide input for our own discussion on it. Thanks in advance! -Ann

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